How to make a plan for 2026 to fit your strengths, skills, energy, goals and values

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Are you feeling ready to make a plan for 2026 but not sure where to start?

Maybe you’ve got some big goals for the year ahead but it’s the start of January and you’re easing yourself in.

This podcast and blog is about making a plan that fits round you actually want to work, and what’s right for your life, your energy and your goals.

In the episode, I talk about the five things I believe you need to think about if you want to make a plan that works.

They are your strengths, skills, energy, goals and values.

I’ll take you through what each of those means, share how to figure them out for yourself, and walk you through some real-life examples to help you apply them to your own plan.

You can listen to the full episode in the player below or read on for the key points.

Why planning matters (and why most of us get it wrong)

How many times have you set a big goal at the start of the year, only to forget about it by March?

It happens to all of us, not because we’re flaky or unmotivated but because we haven’t thought about what we actually need to make it happen.

Goals don’t magically happen from chucking a wish into thin air. They need structure, support, time and space.

So before we get into the planning, I want to talk about a mindset shift.

Instead of throwing a big goal into the air and hoping it sticks, think about what you’d do if that goal was for someone you loved.

Let’s say you had a Cocker Spaniel (mine was called Charlie) and you decided they were going to be an agility champion by the end of 2026.

You wouldn’t say it and leave it there.

You’d get a training plan, join a club, buy the right gear, make time for practice, keep them rested before a big event, and ensure they had the best nutrition.

You’d set them up to have the best possible chance of achieving that outcome.

So why don’t we do the same for ourselves?

How to set yourself up for success when setting goals

Whether your goal is running a marathon, being more visible, or booking out your services, you need to plan for more than the outcome.

Here’s what to think about:

What resources you’ll need
What obstacles might come up
When you’ll want to give up
Whether you’ve tried (and struggled) before
Your reason for doing it
What you need to step away from
What or who you need to step towards

For example, in 2014 I ran a marathon.

This is how it worked for me:

Resources: Trainers, leggings, tops, sports bras, socks.

Obstacles: Injury, cold, being ill.

When I wanted to give up: When it was cold, dark, I was tired, injured.

Whether I’d tried before: I’d done half marathons but not a full, but being publically accountable meant I had to do it.

Reason for doing it: To raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

Step away from: Boozy nights out when I needed to do a long run.

Step towards: Physio, running club, sports massage.

Clients working on plans for their individual businesses

Why your plan needs to be based on you

Over the years, I’ve had so many people tell me what should be in my business plan.

Start a group programme. Scale your membership. Launch a YouTube channel.

I did once plan a group programme and I never ran it because it didn’t sit right with one of my values – that coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all.

I haven’t scaled my membership because what matters more to me is connection and support, and I know that the way I run it now means people get what they need.

And I haven’t launched a YouTube channel because I hate being on video.

These things might work brilliantly for someone else. But they don’t work for me.

Your 2026 plan doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s – it needs to feel right for you.

The five things to build your plan around

If you’re building your 2026 plan, these are the five things I recommend using as your foundations.

Strengths

The things you’re naturally good at. These might not be trained skills, but they’re how you support people and how they experience you.

Things like being calm under pressure, building trust quickly, spotting patterns or connections, bringing energy to a room, or helping people feel safe and seen.

Skills

The things you’ve trained in or learned over time. These might be strategic, technical or relationship-based, and they’ll often overlap with your strengths.

You might be a great writer or speaker, brilliant with dog body language, or amazing at keeping people focused and on track. Or you might be learning a new skill now to support a goal for the future.

Energy

What lights you up versus what drains you.

Look at the parts of your business where things flow and feel good. Then notice where you’re dragging your heels or procrastinating every week.

This will tell you so much about what to focus on and what to let go of.

Goals

The things you want to do or achieve. They might be outcome-based (launch a product, get media coverage) or about how you want to feel (more confident, more in control).

Both types are valid. And both will shape what goes in your plan.

Values

Your guiding principles. The things you believe in, even when no one else is looking.

When your work matches with your values, things feel good. When it doesn’t, you’ll feel it in your gut.

Values might include honesty, compassion, growth, integrity, creativity, flexibility, adventure, support.

Whatever they are for you, they should influence your plan.

Bringing it all together

So let’s say you’ve got a goal to post on Instagram three times a week in 2026.

You can make that part of your plan.

But instead of just writing it down and hoping it happens, you’d build the support around it.

That might mean:

Investing in a planner with space to map out your ideas
Joining a group where visibility is celebrated
Setting aside time each week to batch your content
Stepping away from the Facebook groups where people mock what you’re doing
Asking a friend to check in when you’re having a wobble
Having a bank of photos ready so it’s easier when you’re busy

Planning isn’t only about the end result. It’s about setting yourself up with what you need to get there.

The Pet Business Content Planner for 2026

Tools to help with your 2026 plans

If you want help putting your plan together, the 2026 Pet Business Content Planner is now available.

It’s a physical A5 planner designed especially for pet professionals, with coaching exercises, space to reflect, campaign ideas and planning tools to help you stay on track.

Plus, if you order before 28 January, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win either a 3-night stay at Sunnyside Cottage or a full year inside my membership (both worth £450).

You can order yours at rachelspencer.co.uk/shop